Gravity-feed device for boiler feed-water.



. W. FOWLER.

GRAVITY FEED DEVICE FOR BOILER FEED WATER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. 1916.

138,435 Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I- W. FOWLER.

GRAVITY FEED DEVICE FOR BOILER FEED WATER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. 1916.

1,280,435 Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

4- SHEETS-SHEET 2. 4 ,l|,, l5, mllllll x F W llll'" unnuu mun.

W. FOWLER.

GRAVITY FEED DEVICE FOR BOILER FEED WATER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 411916. Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

4 SHEETS'SHEET 3- L x $1 3 1) "IHIILHHIIIIIIHIII 'Q UW IIIHIIHHI IHI' II W. FOWLER.

GRAVITY FEED DEVICE FOR BOILER FEED WATER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. 191a.

1,280,435. Patented Oct. 1, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- 'WALTER FOWLER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

GRAVITY-FEED DEVICE FOR BOILER FEED-WATER.

To all whom it, may concern:

Be it known that I, lVAL'rnRFowLER, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing in London, England, have, invented certain new and usefullmprovements .in ,Gravity- Feed Devices for Boiler FeedJVater, of which the following is a; specification.

This invention consists of. improvements in or relating to graVity-feed devices for boiler feed-water and is applicable to. such devices of .the known duplex type that comprise in combination two float-chambers .to be placed above the boiler water-level, a float in each chamber, a rocking beam, or equivalent connection between the floats, a sourceof v feed-water delivering. under, a head through non-return influx valves. to the underside. of each float, and av delivery conduit which delivers the feed-water through noiirreturn. deliveryvalves from the said underside to the boiler. According to this invention a reciprocatory steam valve of the sliding piston-type andhsuitable passages are used in an apparatus of the aforesaid duplex type. to effect equilibration and eXhaustfrom the upper side of each of the floats in turn, and preferably. the controlling valve 'operatively connected to the floats and acting to shiftthesaid reciprocatory valve as each float rises in its own chamber is likewise of the. sliding piston t Y e.

Thefloats can be pistons :fitting or approximately fittingthefioat-chambers which are cylindrical.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the apparatus is soarranged in lrelation to the. highest working level of waterin the boiler that it will stop and restart. itself automaticallyas required; the manner in which this may be efl ected Will behereinafter fully explained.

Inapreferred construction the rocking beam and its connections to ,the floats are inclosed: in a two part. steam-tight chamber so as to render unnecessary any glands or packing for. the rods connecting the floats to the rocking beam; the friction tobe 0vercome in operating, the device'is thereby con,-

siderably reduced. Theirocking beam. is. uiountedjon a. rotary Pl QEdeYIGQlH-JDTIB par:

tition betweengthetwo parts of thechamber,

and this plug permits tlleaosciillationiofthe beam but prevents. communication ,between thetwo parts of thechamber.

- Arala m yb qema e t0 e p mlle Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Uct. l; 1918.

Application filed October 4, 1916. Serial No. 123 782..

on. which the rocking beam rocks, the pointer being situated outside the chamber so that its movement show when; the beam itself is moving; the. steam-operated valve abo'vementioned may be operatively c0nnected to a handle situated outside the cas: ing so that the valve can be shifted by hand if so desired.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a diagrammatic representation of a complete gravity-feed installation;

Fig. 2 is a ection on the line 2-2 of Fig. el, showing a preferred construction according to this invention;

Fig. 3 isa section onthe line 3-:3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4c is asection on the line of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a section of Fig. 2- .and illustrates a part .of Fig. l on a plane of section a little farther from the observer-than is the plane of section in Fig. 4;

Like reference characters denote like parts throughout the drawings.

The invention will first be described with reference to Fig. 1. A is a tank from which feed-water is supplied to a boiler B. The device by which this is effected comprises two float-chambers-O C containingfloats D D respectively. The floats are connected by rods E E to a rocking beam F mounted on bearings in the middle of its length so that it can oscillate asthe floats rise and fall alternately. The beam F is connected to a piston-valve Gr so as to reciprocaterit when the beamlis rocked, and this pilot valve G is contained in a casing Gr v which is connected at H 1-1 to the steam space of the boiler B illlfllyitt" J toatmosphere for exhaust.v The chamber; G is further provided with passages K K which coinmunicate with .the two ends of a valve chamber haust, and Li L to theupper endsiofthe float-chambers C .C? respectively.

The valves Gr, and. L. are so. shapedrand theirsteam passagesso ,disposed as :to oper ate in the manner heremafteridescribed.

ThetankA is. connected byapipc A have ing it stop valvel-Ai with aicasinghi this casing A contains two non-return valves.

through which Water can be. ,supplied from A} to eitherzofthe efloat-chamberatlfi and;

pipe A near the boiler.

The operation of the device will now be described starting with the parts described in the position shown in Fig. 1. The floatchamber C is full of Water and the valve L ,is at the left-hand end of its travel thereby admitting steam from the boiler through the pipe L to the upper part of the chamber C above the float D The upper part of the chamber G is open through the pipe 'L to the exhaust L abovementioned. The water in the chamber 0 and pipe A is in equilibrium as regards the steam pressure in the boiler, and it can therefore flow freely into the boiler under the influence of gravity due to the float-chamber being situated above the water-level in the boiler. The upper part of the other chamber C is open to atmosphere and water therefore flows in from the tank A, through A A A to the bottom of the chamber C, so that this chamber fills lifting its float and rocking the beam F. The movement of the beam F carries the pilot .valve G toward the right. As it travels in this direction it first opens the steam inlet H and finally opens the passage K so that steam can pass from the boiler into the left-hand end of the cylinder L containing the main valve L. At the same time the passage K has been shut off from the steam pipe H and later opened to the exhaust J by the movement of the valve G, so that the right-hand end of the valve chamber L? is now open to exhaust. The valve L is therefore forced rapidly across to the right-hand end .of its travel. This movement puts the passage L in communication with atmosphere through L, and provides a direct communication for steam from L through L to theupper end of the float-chamber C. The parts are therefore now in a position in which the chamber 0 is filled with water which is now subjected at its upper side to thesteam pressure of the boiler, and the chamber C is emptied with the upper part of it open to atmosphere. This was the condition obtaining at the commencement of the above-described operation and the water in thechamber G flows down into the boiler thus emptying the chamber C and allowing the filling of the chamber C. This complete cycle of emptying both chambers C G into the boiler is repeated indefinitely. The rate of working of the device is controlledby means of the valve A which determines-the rate .of. the. flow of water from the tank A into the chambers 0 C and therefore. the speedat which the stroke of the floats is made- A preferred construction ofthe floats and their associated valves is shown in Figs. 2, 3

and 4. In order to obviate the necessity of providing stuiiing-boxes or glands for the rods E E where they pass out of the chambers G C respectively, the rocking lever F with these rods is inolosed in a two-part steam-tight chamber F 2 having a partition F 3 in the middle. This construction consid erably reduces the friction which has to be overcome by the movement of the floats and thereby renders the operation of the device more satisfactory. The beam F is mounted in a cylindrical plug member F which can turn in a seating F formed in the partition F The beam F is therefore free to move in the chamber F 2 but communication is effectually prevented between the two parts which are open respectively to the upper parts of the chambers C C The floats D D are cylindrical pistons fitting or nearly fitting the float-chambers which are of the same shape. Guide-rods D are provided in each of the float-chambers for the floats.

The construction of the controlling and steam-operated valves with their steam connections is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The rocking beam F is provided with a spindle F 6 carrying at one end an arm F by which the valve Gr is reciprocated. At the other end this spindle carries a pointer F outside the chamber F to constitute an indicator 'showing when the valve is in motion.

The steam-operated valve L is provided as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with means for operating it by hand if desiredcomprising a spindle M having a handle M at its outer end and an arm M at its inner end engaging the valve. Suitable packing is provided for the spindles M and F to prevent any leakage of. steam.

The steam ports and passages are indicated by the same reference letters as are used in Fig. 1 forthe corresponding passages. The steam from the boiler enters the casing for the valves at N and enters the chamber of the valve G by both of the ports H and H For convenience both valves are shown in their mideposition. The steam for operating the valve L passes from the chamber of the .valveG by either of the passages K K shown mostclearly in Fig. 3 and also indicated in Fig. 4. The equilibrating steam passes from the inlet N to the space N .andthen by either of the passages L L according to which float-chamber is to be supplied. The steam passes around the valve L and out through L and L into the chambers containing the rocking beam and connecting links E E each chamber being in communication with one of the float-chambers. The exhaust of the steam takes place through J and L as was described with reference to Fig. 1.

The box A is provided with two pairs of non-return valves as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4. The water from the supplymanger tank A passes byway of the pipe A tofthe filled. When the float-chambers are being emptied, the water passes,clownward from them into the space P era-P and thence through the valvesP or 1? into the space I? from which it is deliveredbythe .pipeA} into the boiler,

The operation of the preferred construe? tion is exactly the same asthatdescribed with reference to Fig. -1 and thedescription therefore need not be repeated.

In order that the apparatus shallzstopand re-start automatically when the water-in, the boiler rises to or falls away from its highest working level, the floatchambers 1G 1 must be placed at such a level. in relation to the boiler that the bottoms of the float-.chalnbers are a little below the said highest workinglevel. This .will insure, so long eas thelwater in the boiler is ator near the highest-work: ing level, that it will be: atthe same, level; in the float-chambers also; these latter there,- fore will not clear themselvesof,waterrin these circumstances and therefore the floats will not descend far enough to produce-actuation of the valve G. The apparatus fillets: fore automatically stops so. that the boiler cannot be over-supplied with feed-.1 As soon as the level of the boiler water falls from-its highest, the level of the water-yin the floatr chambers will fall also, permitting one, or other of the floats to complete its working stroke, whereupon it will once again operate the valve G and theapparatus will resume normal working.

To preventthe WEllJGI'--f10ll1- the tank laa from flowing through the float-chambers when the apparatus is stopped, the ports in the chamber F for the pipes L L (Fig. 2) must each be provided With a valve arranged to be unafi'ected by the flow of steam either way through the pipes L or L but operative upon the rise of liquid into the chamber F to shut the port so that the water cannot get into the steam passages of the apparatus. Such a valve is indicated in Fig. 5 at the mouth of the pipe L which figure is in effect a portion of Fig. 4 Viewed in a plane of section farther from the observer than is the plane of section in Fig. 4:. The valve proper is V and its controlling float is V What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- l. A gravity feed device for feeding water to a boiler, comprising a feed water connection leading to the boiler, a plurality of float chambers in said connection, valves for alternately admitting water to said float chambers and permitting it to pass from the chambers to the boiler, a main valve casing having a valve therein, a pilot valve casing having a valve therein,v afloat ineach chamber, actuating. connections between the floats an l hpi tJm1YQ, eam pre r con e tionsleadilig from the boiler to the pilot valve casing, connections leading 'fI'Ollln the- ,pilot valve casing to the main valve casing, steam pressurevv connections leading from the boiler to the main valve casing,,an exhaust leading from the main valvecajising, and connections leading from the main valve casing to the float chamber, the. arrangementtbeing such that when the pilot valve issh-if lsd bythe float, the pilot valvewill open. -ccminunica ions to admit pressure o one-side otthe mai valve andbpe the Qfihcriside to exhaust to shift the main valve, which main valve will in turn admit pressure to of the "float chambers and open theaother float chamber tot-he exhaust. su st ntially as1lesc i 2, A; gravityfeed device; for feeding, water to a boiler, comprising, a feed water conneetionleading to the boiler, a plurality of float. chambers insaid. connection, valves for alternately admitting water tosaid float chambers .and-permitting-it to passfromrthe chambers to-the boiler,a [main valve casing having, a-isteam pressureconnection leading thfl etoafrom theboiler, an exhaust connection leading-stherefron1, connect-ions leading il'om said valve casingtothe floot chambers, a valve innthe valve chamber-to alter-. newly-1 admit ;.press.ure to one, float chamber and to. open the .other'to exhaust, a pilot valve chamber, a =pilot:valve therein, a steam pressureconnection leading to the valve casing from theiboileiy-steain connections lead ing from the pilot valve casing to the main val-vecasin-g to shiftthe -mai-n valve when the pilot valve is shifted, a float in each float chamber, said float chambers and floats therein being so arranged with relation to the boiler that the floats rise above the normal level of the water in the boiler when in their elevated positions, a rock lever connected at each end to one of the floats, and an actuating connection between said pivoted lever and the pilot valve to shift the pilot valve when the lever is shifted by the floats; substantially as described.

3. A gravity feed device for feeding water to a boiler, comprising a feed water connection leading to the boiler, a plurality of floatchambers in said connection, valves for alternately admitting water to said float chambers and permitting it to pass from the chambers to the boiler, a main valve casing having a pressure connection leading thereto, an exhaust connection leading therefrom, connections leading from said valve casing to the float chambers, a valve in the valve chamber to alternately admit pressure to one float chamber and to open the other to exhaust, a pilot valve chamber, a pilot valve therein, a pressure connection leading to the valve casing, connections leading from'the pilot valve casing to the main valve casing to shift themain valve when the pilot valve is shifted, a float in each float chamber, and actuating connections between the pilot valve and the floats to shift the pilot valve when the positions of the floats are shifted, and a float controlled valve for stopping the flow of Water when the water in the device reaches a predetermined level; substantially as described.

4. Agravity feed device for feeding water to a boiler, comprising a feed water connection leading to the boiler, a plurality of float chambers in said connection, a float in each chamber, valves for alternately admitting water to the float chambers. and permitting it to pass from the chambers-to the boiler, a main valve casing, a main valve therein, connections leading from the boiler to the main valve casing, connections leadingfrom the-main valve casing to the float chambers, an exhaust leading from the main valve casing, the main valve being arranged to be shifted to open communication betweenlthe boiler and'one of the float chambers and to open the other float chamber to the exhaust,a pilot valve casing, a pilot valve therein, steam pressure connections leading from. the boiler to opposite ends of the said pilot valve casing, connections between the main valve casing and the pilot valve casing, said pilot valve being arranged to be shifted to open communication between one of said connectionsand the pilot valve casing when in one position and to close the connection to the other end of the main valve when in said position, and actuating connections between the pilot valve and the floats arranged to shift the position of the pilot valve to reverse the steam and exhaust connections for the main valve, substantially as described.

5. An automatic gravity feed device for boiler feed water, comprising a casing having two float chambers therein, a combined water inlet and outlet connection to each float chamber, a float in each chamber, a valve casing above the first mentioned casing and connected thereto, a pilot valve in said casing arranged to reciprocate in a horizontal direction, actuating connections between the floats and the pilot valve, a main slide valve in said casing, connections leading from the'float chambers to the valve casing and arranged to be controlled by the main valve to admit pressure alternately to said float chambers and open them to exhaust steam, actuating connections controlled by the pilot valve for actuating the main valve, steam connections controlled by the main valve for alternately admitting pressure to the connections to the float chambers, and steam connections leading to said casing controlled by the pilot valve, the arrangement being such that the pilot valve is shifted by the float which controls the connections for shifting the main valve to admit pressure to one of the float valves and open the other to exhaust, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WALTER FOWLER.

Gopies of'this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

